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Setting up your power of attorney
Peace of mind that someone is looking after your affairs when you can’t.
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that lets you choose one or more trusted people to manage your affairs on your behalf.
You can choose who you want to make financial or medical decisions for you.
Bank of Scotland power of attorney service is provided by Brodies LLP if you permanently live in Scotland.
Why should you set up a power of attorney?
Planning for the unexpected
You should think about setting up one now as you can’t set up a power of attorney (POA) once you’ve lost mental capacity. It could give you peace of mind, knowing you have a power of attorney in place in case you ever need it.
Why choose us?
Our services are provided by an industry-leading legal firm, Brodies. In just five steps, we’ll guide you through your options, helping you protect your future, assets and loved ones.
Experienced legal professionals are on hand to draft and witness your documents. They can also certify your mental capacity when setting up your power of attorney. The process is designed to suit your needs.
Good to know
If you don’t have a power of attorney
If you don't have a POA in place and your circumstances suddenly change, the courts will make the decisions. It will also take longer and be a more expensive process for a relative or someone close to you, to gain guardianship.
If you have a power of attorney in place, you and your loved ones know that everything will be taken care of in the way you’d want.
What are the different types of power of attorney?
There are three types of power of attorney, depending on what your needs are.
Get started by telling us where in the UK you live
As the law differs across the UK, we’ll need to take you to the right service.
A look at the details
Answering common questions about setting up a power of attorney.
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To give someone power of attorney, you need to have mental capacity and understand what your decisions mean. You must also be at least 16 years old in Scotland or 18 years old in England and Wales.
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An attorney is someone you trust to make decisions for you if you can’t. You can have more than one attorney and choose different attorneys for property and financial affairs and health and welfare.
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Anyone over 16 can be your attorney. It’s important to choose someone you trust, like one or more friends, family members or professional advisers. For a continuing power of attorney, you can’t choose anyone that has been bankrupt.
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If you still have the mental capacity, you can revoke your power of attorney. You can also create a new one. It’s important to feel confident about the person you choose to manage your affairs.
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Our service gives tailored support and guidance from legal professionals. This guarantees that we do everything correctly, avoiding mistakes that could delay or invalidate your document.
Plus, we’re here to help you understand all the options, make sure your wishes are clear and guide you through the legal details. So, you know your documents will work in the way you want.
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You don’t need to register it straight away, but we recommend doing it sooner rather than later. Registering can take several months. You can only use the powers after you register with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
Our service includes registration on your behalf, so it’s ready when you need it. You can opt out of this if you want.
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You can’t arrange a power of attorney for someone else, but you can help them through the process. Remember, the person creating the power of attorney must have the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves.
Ready to set up your power of attorney?
Tell us where you live, and we’ll get you started.
Additional services
Further support
